Opposition Leader Alex Borg said a future Nationalist government would address the challenges faced by Maltese companies and support them in expanding beyond local shores, as he continued a series of visits to businesses and workplaces.
“A new Nationalist Government will ensure that the challenges being faced by local companies are addressed and that they are given the support they need not only to continue growing and investing in our country, but also to expand into foreign markets beyond our shores,” Borg said.
His comments came at the end of two visits carried out on Wednesday morning, during which he met workers and held discussions with management, a statement said.
The PN leader visited the Foster Clark factory in San Ġwann and later the headquarters of Camilleri Group in Ħandaq, describing both as family businesses that have grown, diversified into different sectors, and expanded into international markets.
At Foster Clark, a food manufacturing company, Borg was welcomed by company officials and shown around one of the factories, where he met workers and observed the production processes behind products including custard, jelly, beverages, dessert mixes, cake mixes, essences and food colouring.
Apart from Malta, the company has manufacturing plants in Saudi Arabia and Italy, while more than 99% of its production is exported to 80 countries worldwide, including products made specifically for overseas markets.
In San Ġwann, Foster Clark, which forms part of the Francis Busuttil & Sons Group, operates three factories across seven blocks. The group employs around 1,000 people, 400 of whom work directly with Foster Clark.
During a meeting with Borg, company representatives spoke of the challenges they are facing as well as their ambitions to continue expanding.
Borg was shown various sections of the factory, including areas where automation and advanced technology using robots are employed, and praised the company’s commitment to investing in workers through continuous training, as well as skilling and re-skilling.
Foster Clark Managing Director Joseph Busuttil, Operations Director Paul Demanuele and Distribution Managing Director Kris Lanzon thanked Borg and the party delegation for the visit, and spoke of the importance of support for Maltese businesses to continue growing.
Borg was accompanied during the visit by PN MPs Ryan Callus and Jerome Caruana Cilia, PN candidates Jonathan Muscat and Marilena Gauci, and PN CEO Sabine Agius Cabourdin.
From San Ġwann, Borg proceeded to Ħandaq, where he visited the headquarters of Camilleri Group and was welcomed by directors Tonio, Joseph and Andrè Camilleri, as well as CEO George Debono.
Best known for the Camilleri tal-Ħelu shop in Valletta, the family business dates back to 1843.
Over time, the group has diversified beyond confectionery, including through C Camilleri & Sons, which imports confectionery, provides catering services for events such as weddings, supplies restaurants and school tuck shops, and has also expanded into the clothing and fashion sector with brands including Matalan, Mothercare, Promod and Morgan.
The group operates 25 outlets across Malta and employs 220 full-time workers.
During discussions with Borg, the directors spoke of the importance of a level playing field in the sector, as well as other challenges they face, with Borg reiterating that a future Nationalist government would support companies by addressing such difficulties.
The PN delegation was also shown around the group’s warehouse, confectionery section, kitchen and offices, with Borg meeting employees working in various departments, including retail, HR, finance, marketing and sales.
Borg praised the company’s resilience and its ability to diversify despite challenges over the years.
He was accompanied during this visit by PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione, Secretary General Charles Bonello and PN MP Adrian Delia.
